Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-03-24
4 GOOD OMEN.

menaced the passengers and crew of thu
wrecked ship Hilda.
Lila Drente, an orphan maiden, with
her widowed aunt, had taken passage
upon the Hilda for America, and her
pretty face and winning ways had won
Il warm place for her in all hearts.
She had brought on board white
carrier pigeon, which had tluttered
helplessly down at her feet the year be-
fore, MANNED by Il shot from some I'M
skillful sportsman.
A billet had been fastened under its
wing, but its contents were in tongue
unfamiliar to those who perused it, and
it would have been thrown carelessly
away had it not been saved by Lila.
She had nursed the bird back to
health, and although eventually mean
ing to again put the billet in its place,
under its pinion, and send it forth into
the realms of space, she had not yet
schooled herself into parting with it.
An indulgent relative had procured
for Lila delicate chain of silver, so
that she could fasten it about one slen-
der leg, and thus keep the bird a par
tial prisoner
Lilla's courage and fortitude had
been the one bright spot on board dur
ing the terrible hours of suspense which
followed the fury of the storm which
had wrecked the staunch ship.
No murmur came from her lips, and
she refused to take more than just
enough to sustain life, SAYING that
those who had the work of pumping
and managing the MANNED vessel need
ed more than an idler like herself.
The sight of her gave the sailors
courage.
They felt that no craft would 90
down with her on board.
The weary days passed without sign
of succor; and, hungry and cold, their
courage sank ut last.
Lilla's cheeks were no longer like a
rose. They rivalled her name. But her
eyes seemed TO grow brighter and clear
er with each passing day.
One morning, with only piece of
biscuit between each man and starva-
ton, Lila threw off the shyness which
had thus far kept her silent on the sub
jcct, and said:
let lis all kneel down and pray to-
gether. There is Il promise that when
two or three are gathered in Gods
name, their requests shall be granted.
We can surely say the Lords Prayer,
every one of us.
Then Lila kncis down, her white
bird Gpnn hcy 9hnait.cr, aud her cheeks
gaining iitti" of thpi;' i.a.lial color in
the elevation III The n0a,ent
j nev j.. j. -A<.. i4. l.c FIRST words
OF IA. as aa n3 d qucnt anu
cUln. t'' ~, ..o,e world
and without one exception, the other
voices added their quota of sound.
Those who had forgotten it, or, it may
be, had never known it, following after,
word by word.
II was solemn and touching scene,
never to be forgotten by those who were
participants in it.
After they had risen from their knees
again, a sudden cry broke from Lilla's
lips, and looking towards her, to the
surprise of all the cause was seen. The
pet pigeon had broken link of its de
JdlHiHS Nlittiti. anu littu liibttltu On llltb
the blue sky which archcd above in Il
seeming sunny mockery of their desc
late state.
'My bird has deserted mel" was
Lilla's pathetic cry. And tears, which
suffering had failed to call to her eyes,
filled them now"
Don't cry. little one. You've kept
mn 80 f.,. ouI x.,,, ,,-,,. 4ho,.o's
not 4 man of us but will blubber too.
Don't set us bad example now.
With brave effort Lila controlled
herself. But she could not put the sor-
row for her bird ont of her heart. She
kept thinking to herself.
Now ! can never do my duty and
send the billet
Strange that at such Il time She could
bear anything in her mind but her own
suffering! But so it was, and it added
a kcener pang to the loss Of her pet.
But marvellous to relate. when the
MONDAY sun was glaring down upon
the famished group, white speck APP
peared in the sky. and coming nearer,
soon attracted attention. Then, in
few seconds il came iiuttering down.
with coo of content, and alighted up
on Lilla's shoulder.
1t seemed to their wondering eyes
like spirit.
1t is good omen.n was whispered
around among them. God has not
forgotten us!'
And inspired by this thought the
sailors again turned their dim eyes
across tho broad eXpansc Of waters to
see if any sign of life should appear in
sight
Several hours went by, and then a
dim spot appeared in the distance 1t
grew more distinct and Mt last proved
to be brig bearing down towards
them.
O, that the man on the lookout
should see the signal raised by the dis
tressed crew. The suspense was sick
ening but at last TO a certainty they
were observed. for the brig hove-to and
lowered her boats, which, manned by
a competent crew. were soon propelled
towards them. They We're reached af-
ter time, and were taken on board.
Now comes the wonderful part of our
story.
The man at the wheel was steeringin
an entirely opposite direction from the